6.30.2013
Read These Blogs
Oh, this? That's comedian Hari Kondabolu and his anti-racist pickaxe. Sadly, Hari was criminally excluded from BuzzFeed's list of The 50 Hottest Men In Comedy. (Kumail Nanjiani and Aziz Ansari made the list.)
An Adoptee Returns to South Korea, and Changes Follow: Jane Jeong Trenka was born in South Korea in 1972 and was adopted by a family in the U.S. She returned to Korea to answer questions about her identity, and has stayed to advocate for change in adoption policies.
I Met My Sister for the First Time When I Was 27: Writer Nicole Soojung Callahan, an adoptee, shares about her emotional reunion with her birth family, and her search to know the truth about her adoption.
5 Things Not To Do When Accused Of Racism: A Note To Paula Deen And The Rest of White America: Crying, the "My best friend is _________" excuse, blaming your upbringing... A helpful guide on what not to do when you're called out on your racism.
6.29.2013
This Week's Angriest Posts
Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.
Tammy Duckworth is not taking your sh*t.
A Very Special Racist Road Rage Moment On The 110 Freeway
Kate Gosselin does the slant eye!
So you didn't know (or care) that "Jap" is a racial slur. Okay. But you continued to be an ass about it.
Racist mockery greets riders at AIDS/LifeCycle
Lee Byung-hun plays another badass in RED 2
Angry Reader of the Week: Christian Oh
If you weren't following the Texas Senate filibuster, you missed explosions, a fire-breathing dinosaur, and the ghost of Ann Richards.
Orange County caregiver arrested for elder sex abuse
Fund This: RE:INVENT, inspired by an artist's fight against ALS
Hell of a week! Stay Angry.
Tammy Duckworth is not taking your sh*t.
A Very Special Racist Road Rage Moment On The 110 Freeway
Kate Gosselin does the slant eye!
So you didn't know (or care) that "Jap" is a racial slur. Okay. But you continued to be an ass about it.
Racist mockery greets riders at AIDS/LifeCycle
Lee Byung-hun plays another badass in RED 2
Angry Reader of the Week: Christian Oh
If you weren't following the Texas Senate filibuster, you missed explosions, a fire-breathing dinosaur, and the ghost of Ann Richards.
Orange County caregiver arrested for elder sex abuse
Fund This: RE:INVENT, inspired by an artist's fight against ALS
Hell of a week! Stay Angry.
6.28.2013
Angry Reader of the Week: Christian Oh
Hello, friends. It is time again to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Christian Oh.
Nicole Wong officially joins White House as deputy chief technology officer
Almost overlooked this significant bit of news... Last week, the White House officially announced that Twitter executive Nicole Wong has joined the Obama administration as its new deputy U.S. chief technology officer: Twitter's Nicole Wong joins White House as deputy chief technology officer.
Wong, who has been Twitter's legal director since last year, will work as adviser on issues of internet privacy and technology for the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy. News of her appointment broke weeks ago, but this makes it official. She will basically be responsible for helping the White House make up the rules of the internets.
6.27.2013
If you weren't following the Texas Senate filibuster, you missed explosions, a fire-breathing dinosaur, and the ghost of Ann Richards.
I'm generally not a big fan of NMA's videos. The Taiwanese animation studio's work is sometimes trying just little too hard to be off-the-wall crazy for the sake crazy. Personally, their antics wear a little thin.
But NMA's epic take on State Senator Wendy Davis and the Texas Senate filibuster is too insane not to share. It includes, among other things, the "urbanization" of Texas, a fire-breathing tyrannosaurus rex, and -- I kid you not -- the Ghost of Ann Richards:
Tammy Duckworth is not taking your sh*t.
Do you want to know what congressional fury looks like? On Wednesday, Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran of the Iraq War, verbally dropkicked the crap out of a federal contractor who used his military disability status -- based on a prep school sports injury -- to receive government contracts reserved for disabled vets: Tammy Duckworth Eviscerates Contractor Who Claimed Veterans Disability.
This is a veteran you do not want to mess with. Rep. Duckworth lost both her legs and use of her right arm during her service as a combat pilot in Iraq. But this fool Braulio Castillo, who broke his foot at the U.S. Military Preparatory School nearly 30 years ago, claimed the injury in his company's application for special status as a "service-disabled veteran-owned small business." Not cool.
Watch as Ms. Duckworth destroys Mr. Castillo. Make sure you watch the whole thing:
6.26.2013
Detroit screening of American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs, June 29
If you're in the Detroit area this weekend, don't miss a special free public screening of Grace Lee's feature documentary American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs.
Fresh from its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award, the film comes home in honor of the legendary writer/activist/philosopher's 98th birthday. It's happening Saturday, June 29 at the Detroit Film Theater. Here are some more details about the screening:
George Takei and his notepad versus "traditional" marriage
As we consider the Supreme Court's historic rulings on marriage equality, let us celebrate with the cheeky wisdom of George Takei. This was actually posted on BuzzFeed over a month ago, but it's worth revisiting. Earlier this year, protestors outside the Supreme Court offered some thoughts on "traditional" marriage. Uncle George responded in kind: George Takei Responds To "Traditional" Marriage Fans.
Hindu temple vandalized in possible hate crime
Some local news out of Canada about a possible hate crime... In Surrey, British Columbia, authorities are investigating the vandalism of a Hindu temple over the weekend. Temple leaders are certain the incident was a hate crime: Temple bashing hate crime, says Hindu leader.
Sometime early Sunday morning, surveillance cameras caught two men -- who appear to be South Asian -- entering the Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Mandir temple. The vandals used baseball bats to smash up the windows of the temple's front entrance. Nothing was stolen, which leads some to believe this was more than just a simple act of vandalism:
6.25.2013
Kate Gosselin does the slant eye!
Oh, hell no. Guess who's doing the chink-eye this time? This godawful photo of reality TV mom Kate Gosselin has been making the rounds: Kate Gosselin Appears To Make Racist Gesture In Twitter Photo.
Gosselin burned through her fifteen minutes of fame on the TLC reality television show Jon and Kate Plus 8, which chronicled her and her Korean American now-ex-husband's crazy life as the parents of eight adorable children. That, of course, ended in bitter divorce and tabloid-fueled sadness.
I don't know when this photo of was taken. It recently surfaced on Twitter. You'd think someone who is a mother to eight Asian American children would exercise a little more sensitivity. But there she is in some kind of weird-ass hairpiece, making sweet racist eyes at the camera. You go, Kate.
It's the international gesture for "ching chong." More here: Photo Shows Kate Gosselin Mocking Asians, Sparks New Controversy & Demands For Explanation.
6.24.2013
Willem Dafoe is only a little bit creepy in Love's Routine, a short film by Shirlyn Wong
The Jameson First Shot short film competition gives young filmmakers a "first shot" in the film industry by getting their short film produced and giving them a chance to direct actor Willem Dafoe in the leading role.
Love's Routine, written and directed by Shirlyn Wong, is a dark comedy about a discordant elderly couple. On the creepy spectrum, Willem Dafoe is only just a little bit creepy in this one. It's weird and sad and goes to a place you wouldn't expect. Take a look:
Racist mockery greets riders at AIDS/LifeCycle
What the hell is this? What kind of racial mockery is going on here? Would you believe that this racist spectacle is somehow supposed to be in support of AIDS awareness?
Each year, thousands of cyclists take part in AIDS/LifeCycle, an annual 7-day charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise funds and promote awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I'm told that it's an amazing experience, and quite the love-fest. So what the hell is this crappy sight doing in the event?
Along the ride down the California coast, there are a number of official rest and food stops on the route for each day. To refuel and keep the riders' spirits up, the AIDS/LifeCycle crew sometimes go all out with a theme for each stop. This particularly theme, as you can see, is someone's bad idea for an Oriental theme.
Richard, who participated in the ride and took this photo, explains:
Lee Byung-hun plays another badass in RED 2
So here's the new trailer for RED 2. Yup, they've made a sequel to the hit 2010 action comedy about a group of aging, retired lethal operatives. And they've added South Korean star Byung-hun Lee to the mix. Recently seen as Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: Retaliation, here, he plays "the best contract killer in the world." Take a look:
Orange County caregiver arrested for elder sex abuse
Some really disturbing news of elder abuse in Orange County... Last week in Laguna Hills, a caregiver was arrested for sexually assaulting a 66-year-old woman: O.C. Caregiver Arrested for Alleged Elder Sexual Abuse.
According to authorities, an in-home female client reported that 62-year-old licensed caregiver Robert Ligayo had been sexually abusing her for the past six months. Ligayo was taken into custody and admitted to the abuse, and was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse and sexual battery.
If convicted, Ligayo faces up to eight years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. If you ask me, he should also get kicked in the balls. A lot:
According to authorities, an in-home female client reported that 62-year-old licensed caregiver Robert Ligayo had been sexually abusing her for the past six months. Ligayo was taken into custody and admitted to the abuse, and was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse and sexual battery.
If convicted, Ligayo faces up to eight years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. If you ask me, he should also get kicked in the balls. A lot:
Fund This: RE:INVENT, inspired by an artist's fight against ALS
This is an incredible and inspirational project worth your support... Meet artist Francis Tsai. In 2010, he was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative neuralmuscular disease that eventually leads to paralysis. His body began to deteriorate, but this didn't stop Francis from being awesome. In fact, he became more awesome.
When Francis lost the use of his hands, he began to paint with his toe on an iPad. When he lost the use of his feet, he began to create art using eye tracking technology from Tobii -- and was able to make some of the best work of his career. So what's getting in the way of you creating your dreams project?
Francis' incredible, courageous story inspired the collaborative art project RE:INVENT, a 112-page hardcover book of designs, illustrations and photography by an incredible variety of contributors -- including Francis. Here's the Kickstarter video with more information:
Adam WarRock kicks off annual Donation Drive with "Stark Industries" music video
It's Adam WarRock's third annual Donation Drive! Our friend Eugene Ahn, aka pop cultural and nerdy emcee extraordinaire Adam WarRock, raps about comic books, movies, TV shows and all sorts of other geeky awesome stuff. And he's prolific, regularly releasing hundreds of songs, albums, EPs and mixtapes for free.
To support this endeavor, he's asking for donations to keep his site going. And for your generosity, you'll get an awesome rewards package. This year, donors will get a new album, a live video concert, and a package of digital comics from some of the most well-known creators on and off the web.
To kick things off, he's releasing a new music video for the single off the exclusive Donation Drive album. It's an homage to the Iron Man himself, Tony Stark. We proudly present the music video premiere of "Stark Industries" by Adam WarRock:
A Very Special Racist Road Rage Moment On The 110 Freeway
Anyone who's driven around in Los Angeles, at one point or another, has experienced a very special road rage moment. Between the soul-crushing traffic and the demonic maze of freeways, there's plenty to get angry about. But what do you do when things get dangerous, and a racist road raging driver is out get you?
Over the weekend, Reddit user affirmativeuncertain, who is Asian American, shared about a scary incident on the road where a crazy driver -- unprovoked -- repeatedly cut him off, shouted racial slurs, hurled trash at him, and recklessly brake-checked his car. The whole thing happened on Saturday in Los Angeles, on the 10 East/110 North near downtown.
Fortunately, the incident was recorded on the car's dash cam:
So you didn't know (or care) that "Jap" is a racial slur. Okay. But you continued to be an ass about it.
For those who think that "Jap" is nothing more than a simple abbreviation for "Japanese," you are wrong. But your ignorance is excusable. Your stubborn attempts to deny and deflect are not.
So... who's getting into trouble over racial slurs today? If you follow the latest news out of the Food Network, you know that TV personality Paula Deen is the middle of a professional meltdown over admitted racist actions in her past, including the use of racial slurs. The Food Network has chosen not to renew Deen's contract.
One of the many voices who chimed in to throw in a dig at Deen was renowed Las Vegas restaurant reviewer John Curtas, who tweeted, "[Paula Deen] thinks colored people are swell."
Gann Matsuda of the Manzanar Committee found Curtas' comments noteworthy and perhaps just a little hypocritical, considering that Curtas has also publicly used a racial slur -- though in nowhere near the same context -- in a past tweet: "The best Jap-German collaboration since 1941...."
6.23.2013
Read These Blogs
16 Things That Taste Just Like Your Asian American Childhood: Yakult, Haw Flakes, Orion Choco-Pies. This is the taste of Asian American childhood.
Why Whites Should Fear Demographic Change: The New York Times recently ran an article concluding that over time -- though not exactly right around the corner -- white Americans will become the new racial minority. ChangeLab's Scot Nakagawa on what this means for our future.
The State of Asian Pacific Americans in Theatre: Why Does It Still Suck Ass?: Actor Miki Yamashita gives a rundown of "An Actor's Life For Me -- Celebrating Asian Pacific Americans in Theatre," hosted by the Actors' Equity Association in Hollywood last week.
Mind the Gap: Prince Gomolvilas at TEDxChapmanU: Playwright Prince Gomovilas talks about wearing boys' clothing, writing a play for eighth graders, and standing up to a multinational corporation.
6.22.2013
This Week's Angriest Posts
Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.
The Nerdiest / Most Gangster Yearbook Quote Ever
Conan O'Brien talks to teen inventor Eesha Khare
Student pleads guilty to hate crime attack on cab driver
It's pronounced "Nguyen."
Husband-and-wife-run brothel busted in South San Francisco
Bruce Lee statue unveiled in Los Angeles Chinatown
Ghostface Killah endorses Roy Cho for Congress. Seriously.
Elisa Lam's death ruled accidental
Angry Reader of the Week: Narinda Heng
Kenichi Ebina's kickass audition for America's Got Talent
Great to see old friends and make new ones at Netroots Nation. Stay Angry. Oh, and if you're in Los Angeles, and you're available to be an extra in Awesome Asian Bad Guys on Monday, June 24, contact awesomeasianbadguys@gmail.com. Hope to see you there.
The Nerdiest / Most Gangster Yearbook Quote Ever
Conan O'Brien talks to teen inventor Eesha Khare
Student pleads guilty to hate crime attack on cab driver
It's pronounced "Nguyen."
Husband-and-wife-run brothel busted in South San Francisco
Bruce Lee statue unveiled in Los Angeles Chinatown
Ghostface Killah endorses Roy Cho for Congress. Seriously.
Elisa Lam's death ruled accidental
Angry Reader of the Week: Narinda Heng
Kenichi Ebina's kickass audition for America's Got Talent
Great to see old friends and make new ones at Netroots Nation. Stay Angry. Oh, and if you're in Los Angeles, and you're available to be an extra in Awesome Asian Bad Guys on Monday, June 24, contact awesomeasianbadguys@gmail.com. Hope to see you there.
6.21.2013
New report highlights dramatic rise in AAPI poverty
Asian American and Pacific Islander poverty is on the rise. And it can't be ignored. According to a new study by the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, the AAPI poor population grew faster than most other ethnic groups from 2007 to 2011, increasing by 38% to over 2 million.
The demographic study, "Spotlight: Asian American and Pacific Islander Poverty," brings attention to communities in need, busts harmful model minority stereotypes and broadens the conversation about what it means to be AAPI in America. Here are some key highlights from the study:
Angry Reader of the Week: Narinda Heng
What's up, folks? Please gather 'round to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Narinda Heng.
Coach Erik Spoelstra and Miami Heat are NBA Champs. Again.
Gotta give it up... Whoever you root for, some congratulations are in order for coach Erik Spoelstra, who led the Miami Heat to their second consecutive NBA championship. The Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of Finals, 95-88: LeBron James, Heat beat Spurs for second straight NBA title.
Spoelstra is the first Asian American head coach (he is Filipino American) in the history of the four major American professional sports leagues, and the first Asian American head coach to win an NBA championship -- and now the first Asian American head coach to win back-to-back championships.
Elisa Lam's death ruled accidental
The death of a Canadian tourist Elisa Lam, whose body was found in a hotel water tank, has been officially ruled an accidental drowning: Elisa Lam Death Accidental: LA Coroner.
Lam, who was visiting Los Angeles from Vancouver, had been missing for three weeks before her body was found in a water tank on the roof of the Cecil Hotel. A surveillance video showed her acting strangely in the hotel elevator before she disappeared.
The police initially investigated Lam's disappearance as suspicious and possibly involving foul play, but the Los Angeles County Coroner has ruled that the cause of death was "accidental due to drowning, other significant conditions: bipolar disorder."
Lam, who was visiting Los Angeles from Vancouver, had been missing for three weeks before her body was found in a water tank on the roof of the Cecil Hotel. A surveillance video showed her acting strangely in the hotel elevator before she disappeared.
The police initially investigated Lam's disappearance as suspicious and possibly involving foul play, but the Los Angeles County Coroner has ruled that the cause of death was "accidental due to drowning, other significant conditions: bipolar disorder."
6.20.2013
Kenichi Ebina's kickass audition for America's Got Talent
This week, dancer Kenichi Ebina hit the stage for auditions of season eight of NBC's America's Got Talent, showing off his special mix of dance, martial arts and mime. If that sounds weird, it is... but it's also totally original and awesome. It starts off one way when he introduces himself -- the broadcast tries to make it look like his "dance-ish" performance is going to be a joke -- but then he proceeds to blow everyone's mind. He gets a standing ovation, across the board. Just watch:
Husband-and-wife-run brothel busted in South San Francisco
Busted. Last week in South San Francisco, authorities arrested a man who was allegedly running a brothel with his wife out of their apartment, which investigators believe may be part of a much larger international sex trafficking operation: Busted South SF brothel may be part of larger sex ring.
49-year-old Zhi Liu was arrested on human trafficking, pandering, and pimping charges. He and his wife Wie Guo, who remains at large, are accused of running a brothel, rotating young women from Boston, New York China, in and out of an unassuming apartment just across from the South San Francisco BART station.
49-year-old Zhi Liu was arrested on human trafficking, pandering, and pimping charges. He and his wife Wie Guo, who remains at large, are accused of running a brothel, rotating young women from Boston, New York China, in and out of an unassuming apartment just across from the South San Francisco BART station.
6.19.2013
Ghostface Killah endorses Roy Cho for Congress. Seriously.
In tough political races, candidates need any kind of edge they can get. In New Jersey, one Democratic candidate for Congress has received the coolest and weirdest of all political endorsements -- from a member of the Wu-Tang Clan: Ghostface Killah endorses Democratic candidate in 5th District race.
Hackensack attorney Roy Cho, who is running for the Democratic nomination to represent the Garden State's 5th District, got the thumbs up from none other than the rapper known as Ghostface Killah, via Twitter. And that automatically makes Roy Cho -- who says that Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is his favorite album -- the coolest candidate in this race:
6.18.2013
21 & Over Blu-ray/DVD
The college comedy 21 & Over, starring Justin Chon, hits Blu-ray and DVD this week. It's off-color and outrageous, and there's a lot of gross-out, silly-ass shenanigans that happen in the movie, but between the dick jokes and binge drinking, the movie goes to some interesting places that you wouldn't expect. In spite of its extreme bro-verload, it stuck with me. Plus, you rarely ever get to root for the Asian American kid partying his nekkid ass off. Here's another look at the trailer:
Beats for Bangladesh: A Benefit Album in Solidarity with the Garment Workers of Rana Plaza
On April 24, an eight-story commercial building collapsed in the Savar district of Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing 1,127 and injuring over 2,500 people -- mostly women working in the five garment factories operating inside Rana Plaza. It is considered to be the deadliest garment factory accident in history, as well as the deadliest accidental structural failure in modern human history. Question: What can you do to help?
Mishthi Music presents Beats for Bangladesh: A Benefit Album in Solidarity with the Garment Workers of Rana Plaza. The album includes an eclectic 26 tracks for a donation of $15 (or more). Donations will go directly to the Bangladeshi Center for Workers Rights, the group on the ground helping the orphans and families of the victims of the Rana Plaza collapse.
Here's one way. Presented by the music blog Mishthi Music, the album is executive produced and curated by world reknowned hip-hop artist Brooklyn Shanti, and political activist/writer Tanzila 'Taz' Ahmed. It features a strong mix of tracks by South Asian artists from the across the United States and beyond. You can listen to the preview below:
It's pronounced "Nguyen."
For your information... "You say it like it's spelled: "Nguyen." The N and the G are silent and combine to form a W sound. As for the U, it sounds more like an E. Also, ignore the Y and the E. "Nguyen." What's the issue?"
Student pleads guilty to hate crime attack on cab driver
Catching up on some news from last week... In New York City, a college student will face a 9 1/2 year prison sentence for viciously assaulting a Bangladeshi taxi driver in a hateful anti-Muslim attack: Michael Enright Pleads Guilty To Anti-Muslim Attack On NYC Cab Driver.
Cab driver Ahmed Sharif picked up Michael Enright on August 24, 2012. Enright asked Sharif whether he was Muslim, insulted his religion, then lunged into the front seat to slash his throat.
Enright pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault as hate crimes. The prosecution recommended an 18-year prison sentence, but the judge imposed the lesser prison sentence, plus five years of post-release supervision because Enright had no previous criminal record and because the victim wasn't badly hurt:
Cab driver Ahmed Sharif picked up Michael Enright on August 24, 2012. Enright asked Sharif whether he was Muslim, insulted his religion, then lunged into the front seat to slash his throat.
Enright pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault as hate crimes. The prosecution recommended an 18-year prison sentence, but the judge imposed the lesser prison sentence, plus five years of post-release supervision because Enright had no previous criminal record and because the victim wasn't badly hurt:
6.17.2013
Summer Music Academy for Real Teens (SMART), July 8-26
Young people of Boston! This one's for you. The Summer Music Academy for Real Teens (SMART), sponsored by Chung Changing Lives Inc. and the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, is a three-week summer music education for teens. SMART seeks youth ages 13-18 of all backgrounds from all over Boston to develop their passion to learn and create music. The program runs July 8-26 at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.
The program is made possible by the generous support of NFL player Patrick Chung, who himself is the son of professional musicians -- music producer Ronald Chung and reggae singer Sophia George-Chung: Former Patriot Patrick Chung presents $25,000 to Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center.
Here are some more details about the program:
5th Annual Korean BBQ Festival, June 23
Hey, Los Angeles meat eaters. It's on. The Korean American Coalition, Los Angeles presents the 5th Annual Korean BBQ Festival, a fun showcase of some of the food from restaurants and vendors from all around Koreatown.
Whether your thing is short ribs, pork skewers, bibimbap or all of the above, make some plans, bring a friend and come hungry. It's happening Sunday, June 23 during CicLAvia, adjacent to the Radio Korea building at 3700 Wilshire Blvd.
Here are some more details:
Whether your thing is short ribs, pork skewers, bibimbap or all of the above, make some plans, bring a friend and come hungry. It's happening Sunday, June 23 during CicLAvia, adjacent to the Radio Korea building at 3700 Wilshire Blvd.
Here are some more details:
Conan O'Brien talks to teen inventor Eesha Khare
Meet 18-year-old Eesha Khare, a Harvard-bound high school graduate from Saratoga, California who took the top prize last month at the 2013 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her groundbreaking experiment, "Design and Synthesis of Hydrogenated TiO2-Polyaniline Nanorods for Flexible High-Performance Supercapacitors." In simpler terms, she invented a device that can charge a cell phone in 30 seconds.
Eesha recently appeared on Conan to talk about her invention:
Attend the community meeting for "Danny Chen Way," June 25
Last week, I wrote about OCA-NY's efforts to drum up public support for the co-naming of a New York Chinatown street, "Danny Chen Way," in memory of the Chinese American soldier who was found dead after enduring weeks of hazing abuse while serving in Afghanistan.
On June 11, the Transportation Committee of Community Board 3 unanimously voted for the new name: 'Danny Chen Way' Street Renaming Wins Support from Community Board.
But there's more work to be done. The street co-naming still needs to be approved during Community Board 3's full board meeting next week. After that, it will go to the City Council for a vote.
If you can make it out, OCA-NY is asking supporters to attend the public meeting on Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30pm at PS 20, 166 Essex Street. For further information, email Ivy Pan at vypan94@gmail.com.
Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain
Check out this great KABC Eyewitness News Special that aired over the weekend, Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain. Host David Ono traveled to the former site that incarcerated over 10,000 Japanese American during World War II, under the shadow of Heart Mountain outside Cody, Wyoming. But importantly, he talked to many Southern California families who endured the injustices of internment, and shared their stories. Here's the special, in four parts:
The Awesome Asian Cast of Awesome Asian Bad Guys
Behold, the awesome cast of National Film Society's upcoming webseries Awesome Asian Bad Guys. That's Yuji Okumoto, Patrick Epino, Stephen Dypiangco, Aaron Takahashi, Randall Park, Dante Basco, George Chung, Jasmin Currey, Tamlyn Tomita and the indestructible Al Leong.
Production on the action comedy webseries begins this week, and I just wanted to remind everybody that the team is putting the call out for extras. We need your help! If you're in Los Angeles, and free on Saturday, June 22 and Monday, June 24, you're invited to join in the fun as an extra in a big scene we're shooting downtown.
If you're interested in hanging out as an extra and watching the Awesome Asian Bad Guys in action, email awesomeasianbadguys@gmail.com. Hope you can join and be Awesome with us.
The Nerdiest / Most Gangster Yearbook Quote Ever
Jessica Lee wins. She wins everything. Drawing on her knowledge of the periodic table, the graduating high school senior's parting words of wisdom -- published under her photo in the Garfield High School yearbook -- appear to be a nerdy recitation of elements. But wait. Look a little closer, and you'll see a coded message inspired by the lyrical stylings of none other than the Notorious B.I.G.:
Bruce Lee statue unveiled in Los Angeles Chinatown
Over the weekend in Los Angeles, the one and only Bruce Lee was honored with the unveiling of a new statue of the martial arts legend in Chinatown -- the first and only statue of its kind in the United States: Historic Dedication Made In Honor Of Bruce Lee During LA Chinatown's 75th Anniversary.
The 7.6-foot-tall bronze statue currently sits in Chinatown's historic Central Plaza. It was unveiled as part of the annual nighttime celebration Chinatown Summer Nights and the 75th anniversary of Chinatown, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Chinatown Corp. and the Bruce Lee Foundation:
6.16.2013
Read These Blogs
BEST STORY EVER: Jackie Chan Picks A Fight With Bruce Lee... And Loses: Jackie Chan shares an awesome story about the time Bruce Lee kicked his ass.
Seven Surprising Facts About Asian-American and Middle Eastern Boys: From racial profiling to bullying to poverty, here are some parallel struggles that Asian American and Middle Eastern boys face.
Housing Discrimination Still Exists, in Deceptively Subtle Forms: A new study released by U.S. Housing and Urban Development finds that housing discrimination still takes place across the country.
Letter to My Daughter: 'You Are Powerful. Know This In Your Heart.': Stay-at-home dad Jason Sperber writes a tear-jerker of a Father's Day letter to his two daughters.
Affirmative action and breaking the 'bamboo ceiling' for Asian Americans: As the Supreme Court prepares to announce its decision on Fisher vs. the University of Texas case, which could invalidate the use of race-conscious policies in college admissions, Asian American groups have been vocal in their opposition to affirmative action. But would ending these practices really level the playing field for Asian Americans?
6.15.2013
This Week's Angriest Posts
Not necessarily the angriest, just the most viewed.
UC Riverside student charged in ex-boyfriend murder plot
Man fatally shot after car collision
Weird-Ass Craigslist Posting, Part 56: Seeking "Quality Asian"
Why didn't anyone tell me about Sara, crazy kid drummer?
Philadelphia Orchestra performs impromptu airplane concert on delayed Beijing flight
Goodbye, Lucky Star. Feds shut down another Chinatown bus.
Purdue students charged with hacking professors' accounts and changing grades
NYPD accused of anti-gay violence in Brooklyn incident
Brooklyn teen found stabbed to death
YOMYOMF presents David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face
See you today at the V3 Digital Media Conference, and see you next week at Netroots Nation.
UC Riverside student charged in ex-boyfriend murder plot
Man fatally shot after car collision
Weird-Ass Craigslist Posting, Part 56: Seeking "Quality Asian"
Why didn't anyone tell me about Sara, crazy kid drummer?
Philadelphia Orchestra performs impromptu airplane concert on delayed Beijing flight
Goodbye, Lucky Star. Feds shut down another Chinatown bus.
Purdue students charged with hacking professors' accounts and changing grades
NYPD accused of anti-gay violence in Brooklyn incident
Brooklyn teen found stabbed to death
YOMYOMF presents David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face
See you today at the V3 Digital Media Conference, and see you next week at Netroots Nation.
6.14.2013
Random Access Theatre presents Much Ado About Nothing
New York! Catch a performance of Random Access Theatre's production of Much Ado About Nothing. This adaptation, by my good friend Jessica Ko, is set in Macao during the 17th century as a Portuguese colony and trading post. It runs until June 30. Here's more information, including which theater to head to, depending on the date:
Angry Reader of the Week: Bao Phi
Hello, good people. It's that time again. Time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Bao Phi.
Casting Call: Lucy, The Mutant Human/Angel Hybrid Who Speaks with an Asian Accent (but is not Asian)
Uhhh... what the hell? Got this casting call passed along to me for an indie film called It's Gawd!, described as an irreverent comedy about what happens when the almighty gets his own television show.
One of the parts in question is a character called Lucy, "a mutant human/angel hybrid who speaks broken English with a strong Asian accent." But she apparently isn't Asian, so the part is open to actors of all ethnicities... except Asians. Wait, what?
Yeah, I don't get it either. Here's the full breakdown:
One of the parts in question is a character called Lucy, "a mutant human/angel hybrid who speaks broken English with a strong Asian accent." But she apparently isn't Asian, so the part is open to actors of all ethnicities... except Asians. Wait, what?
Yeah, I don't get it either. Here's the full breakdown:
Weird-Ass Craigslist Posting, Part 56: Seeking "Quality Asian"
Oh, the stuff you find on Craigslist. It's endlessly amusing and appalling. Like this super-crazy personal ad that I'm told has been making the rounds in API gay circles: Quality Asian for BF and Life Partner - 37.
An "Asian (Chinese American), thirty-seven y/o, 5'11" tall, 155, young looking with fit and smooth built" seeks a suitable mate for dating and possible life partnership. But you can't just be any geek off the street. You have to be a Quality Asian. This person has laid out some pretty strict guidelines for his ideal special someone, including a complex, highly specific scoring system (minimum score: 35 points).
Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese men are preferred (+20), but if you're Vietnamese (-5) or Indian (-10), you're going to have to work overtime to impress this guy's high-ass standards:
6.13.2013
Purdue students charged with hacking professors' accounts and changing grades
Asians behaving badly... grade-tampering college student edition! At Purdue University, three students are facing several felony charges after hacking into their professors' computer accounts and changing their grades to better scores: Police: Purdue engineering students tampered with professors' accounts, changed grades.
Sujay Sharma, Mitsutoshi Shirasaki and Roy Sun were charged in Tippecanoe Superior Court with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit computer tampering, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit computer trespass.
According to court documents, Shirasaki had been installing key-logging devices in various keyboards in classrooms and professors' offices to obtain their passwords. Ds and Fs were changes to As or Bs, Cs were changed to As, and when they got really greedy, As were even changed to A-pluses:
Sujay Sharma, Mitsutoshi Shirasaki and Roy Sun were charged in Tippecanoe Superior Court with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to commit computer tampering, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit computer trespass.
According to court documents, Shirasaki had been installing key-logging devices in various keyboards in classrooms and professors' offices to obtain their passwords. Ds and Fs were changes to As or Bs, Cs were changed to As, and when they got really greedy, As were even changed to A-pluses:
Man fatally shot after car collision
What the hell? This is some disturbing news out of the Bay Area, where a man was shot and killed after a confrontation with two men who had rear-ended his car: Emeryville man slain after Oakland crash.
22-year-old Aya Nakano was on his way home from a pick-up basketball game on Wednesday night when his car was rear-ended in North Oakland.
After pulling over to the side of the road, he got into a confrontation with the two men in the other car, described as a newer-model four-door silver sedan. That's one of the men pulled out a gun and shot Nakano, who died at the scene.
22-year-old Aya Nakano was on his way home from a pick-up basketball game on Wednesday night when his car was rear-ended in North Oakland.
After pulling over to the side of the road, he got into a confrontation with the two men in the other car, described as a newer-model four-door silver sedan. That's one of the men pulled out a gun and shot Nakano, who died at the scene.
6.11.2013
Linsanity returns to New York City for AAIFF'13
Next month, Linsanity makes its triumphant return to New York City. I'm talking about Linsanity, the documentary, which will have its New York premiere as the Opening Night presentation of the 36th Asian American International Film Festival on July 24 at the Asia Society's Lila Wallace Acheson Theatre.
The film, directed by Evan Jackson Leong, retells the awesome story of Jeremy Lin's stunning and unlikely rise to NBA stardom. Remember that? Yeah, that was awesome. Catch Linsanity in the city where it all started before the film hits the road for its theatrical release in the fall.
You can purchase tickets here. And stay tuned for the full AAIFF'13 lineup, to be unveiled next week.
Apply to the 2013-14 Armed With a Camera Fellowship
Attention filmmakers! Visual Communications is seeking young and aspiring filmmakers to apply for the 12th edition of the Armed With a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists. The program nurtures the next generation of Asian Pacific American media artists to capture their world, surroundings and outlook on life.
Visual Communications works with the Fellows for seven months and provides special training, mentoring and networking opportunities, access to facilities and equipment, plus a cash and rental stipend to create four to five-minute digital shorts that premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and other venues nationwide. Here's some more information:
Sevenly partners with LiNK to rescue North Korean refugees
Sevenly is a t-shirt company that raises money for charities. This week, they're donating $7 of every item sold to help LiNK (Liberty in North Korea). Support funds will go towards the undercover rescue mission of North Korean refugees who are currently in hiding. Every $2500 funds another rescue mission:
UC Riverside student charged in ex-boyfriend murder plot
Holy crap. In Riverside, California, a college student faces several felony charges after trying to get her boyfriend to murder her ex: UC Riverside Student Accused of Plotting to Murder Her Ex-Boyfriend.
21-year-old Barbara Wu allegedly told her boyfriend, Dennis Lin, to kidnap her ex-boyfriend, break his legs with a baseball bat, kill him and discard the body. Realizing the holy-shit nature of the situation, her boyfriend went to the police, and recorded her discussing the murder plot.
Wu pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting murder, stalking, online harassment, terrorist threats and other misdemeanor and felony crimes:
21-year-old Barbara Wu allegedly told her boyfriend, Dennis Lin, to kidnap her ex-boyfriend, break his legs with a baseball bat, kill him and discard the body. Realizing the holy-shit nature of the situation, her boyfriend went to the police, and recorded her discussing the murder plot.
Wu pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting murder, stalking, online harassment, terrorist threats and other misdemeanor and felony crimes:
New on Blu-ray: Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary Edition
Bruce fans, you know what's up. The 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray of Enter the Dragon, one of the friggin' greatest movies ever, is now in stores. This movie's got everything -- an island martial arts tournament, some silly sneaking around, a crazy villain with a claw, and Bruce Lee at his most badass. Here's the original 1973 trailer for Enter the Dragon:
Margaret Cho's webseries In Transition premieres July 3
So what's Margaret Cho been up to lately? Doing that internet thing, yo. Starting next month, you can see the veteran comedian starring in her first scripted comedy web series, In Transition, premiering on her official YouTube channel: Margaret Cho to Star in Scripted Comedy on YouTube .
The 13-episode series is described as a dark comedy about a trio of women newly released from prison. Each episode of In Transition will be followed by a live "hangout" between Margaret and viewers on YouTube. Here's the series trailer:
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